Arihanta Institute Announces $1 Million Endowment for Professorship in Vegan and Animal Advocacy Studies

Arihanta Institute proudly announces the establishment of the Tīrthaṅkara Śreyāṃśanātha Endowment for Professorship in Vegan and Animal Advocacy Studies, made possible through a generous $1 million gift from Drs. Jasvant and Meera Modi—pioneering philanthropists advancing global Jain education—and Dr. Namrata Patel, a steadfast advocate for compassion and non-violence studies.

Arihanta Institute offers a groundbreaking program—the Vegan Studies Initiative (VSI)—which promotes veganism and animal advocacy as profound expressions of kindness and compassion.

“The VSI empowers individuals with the wisdom to embody empathy in everyday life for all living beings who share our planet,” said Dr. Jasvant Modi. “We are honored to support this visionary initiative that uplifts two causes very close to our hearts: the promotion of a vegan lifestyle and the advancement of Jain education.”

The VSI program is a vital pillar of Arihanta Institute’s educational offerings. “Kindness toward animals is a fundamental human value,” said Prem Jain, Chair of the Fundraising Committee. “This endowment leapfrogs our multi-dimensional teaching efforts—empowering individuals to adopt a lifestyle rooted in non-violence and compassion toward others, the environment, and oneself.”

The establishment of the Tīrthaṅkara Śreyāṃśanātha Endowment for Professorship in Vegan and Animal Advocacy Studies – the first-ever endowed professorship at Arihanta Institute – marks a significant milestone in the Institute’s growth. It underscores Arihanta Institute’s unwavering belief that timeless Jain wisdom offers profound guidance for today’s world.

“Our mission is to democratize Engaged Jain Studies through transformative education, critical research, and scholarship in compassion, non-violence, and spiritual depth accessible to all, no matter where they are,” said Parveen Jain, PhD, Founder and CEO of Arihanta Institute. “Through initiatives like the VSI, we seek to inspire conscious living that honors all life, bridges ancient insight with modern challenges, and empowers individuals to walk the path of ahimsā every day.”

About Arihanta Institute:

Founded in April 2022 as an IRC 501(c)(3) nonprofit California corporation, Arihanta Institute is an educational institution committed to advancing education, scholarship, critical research, and the public dissemination of real-world application of the Jain principles of non-violence (ahiṃsā) and compassion (karuṇā). Our mission is to empower individuals with knowledge to embrace and apply these values as a force for positive change, addressing some of the most pressing challenges in today’s world. As a leader in Engaged Jain Studies, Arihanta Institute bridges theory and practice through inclusive, accessible online education that inspires meaningful, real-world impact.

About Dr. Jasvant Modi:

Dr. Jasvant Modi, born in Godhra, India in 1951, is a skilled gastroenterologist who pursued his medical education at B.J. Medical College. After completing his residency in Chicago, Illinois, he immigrated to the United States in 1975, remaining devoted to his field ever since. During his time in the U.S., he also found a love of philanthropy, shared by his wife, Meera. The pair aims to spread the faith of Jainism through their educational and medical work, both in the States and in their home country of India. The duo has acquired four small hospitals over the past decade, which they have poured into and developed into an essential support system for the surrounding communities.

For more information about the Tīrthaṅkara Śreyāṃśanātha Endowment and Arihanta Institute’s programs, please visit https://www.arihantainstitute.org.

For press inquiries, additional information, or interview requests, please contact:

Kamlesh Mehta, CMO, Arihanta Institute.

kmehta@arihantainstitute.org